CUBA / STREETSTYLE

Hello everyone!

It’s been a long time. I could not write after my holiday because of my job and rehabilitation after two car accidents. I try to do my best, but it’s a very difficult period for me.
But:
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

So, finally the blogpost about CUBA! A big experience because the flight duration was 13 hours.
I bought my ticket through the website Turkish Airlines. My first flight was from Amsterdam – Istanbul & Istanbul – Havana.

The flight from Istanbul – Havana was 13 hours. I can tell you, during the flight you have to try to drink a lot of water/tea/coffee and try to sleep. Night flight is much better!

I went to Cuba with my friend Deniz (she is from Germany) and with the group ‘Gezgin Kadinlar’.

You do need a visa to go to Cuba and you can order it online.The visa, known as the Tourist Card, gives you valid entry to Cuba for 30 days with a single entry.

We saw a lot in two weeks and it was a very busy program!

Cuba is alive with an energy that permeates through every aspect of its culture. The music, the dance, and the history all come to life under the same.

Casa Particulares (Cuban home stays) are a fantastic option for budget travellers in Cuba. In fact, we recommend that everybody who is travelling in Cuba stays in casas because they offer the best value and the best travel experience. We also stayed at a Casa Particular. It is cheap and the breakfast is amazing with a lot of coffee & fruit.

A key component of “support for the Cuban people” is interacting with locals,think salsa classes, instead of beach days.

In Cuba there are two currencies: the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) –  Non-Convertible Peso (CUP) . Tourists are not ‘supposed’ to use the Meneda Nacional CUP, they only can use CUC. And important to know is, you can not use your creditcard. You have to take the money cash with you. And don’t worry Cuba is very safe to travel!The Internet in Cuba is only available at the public plazas (squares), or within the big hotels set on the plaza.

Doors

You can see a lot of doors!
The doors bars are from the 19th century. You can see in Trinidad a lot of colourful doors. From cars to fashion to buildings and street art, nothing says Cuba like rich, vivid color. Trade with Cuba stopped in 1960, which is why the streets of Havana are crowded with beautiful 1950s cars.

History

Far more than just an image on a dorm room wall, Ernesto Guevara was a 20th-century Renaissance man. He was a doctor, political philosopher, diplomat, military strategist, and best-selling author who challenged the capitalist status quo with words and gunfire.

Cities we have visited

Havana
Cienfuegos
Trinidad
Ancon
Santaclara
Vinales
Las Terrazaz
Varadero

Last but not least. Cuban people are not stressful, they are the most relax people I have ever seen. So keep it simple, smile and relax. For example, you have to wait 30 minutes to order your food, 30 minutes or 1 hour to get your food and 30 minutes for the receipt. 🙂